Directed by Nicolas Winding Refn and starring Ryan Gosling, ‘Drive’ may give the impression of being yet another crime thriller filled with pointless action scenes and meaningless dialogue sequences. However, this first impression is false. Compared to other action movies, ‘Drive’ is like gold itself found on top of some pile of garbage. With an amazing soundtrack, cast, performances, script and, above all, that nostalgic and unforgettable 1980s feel to it, ‘Drive’ is an impressive film, giving off brilliance of some kind of a cult movie, which maybe only be comparable to ‘Taxi Driver’ (1976).

“Late last year, Leonardo DiCaprio and his production company, Appian Way (along with Double Features), picked up the rights to Erik Larson’s “The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic and Madness at The Fair that Changed the World.” Larson’s non-fiction work is told in a more traditionally novelistic way, and it chronicles the story of one of America’s first serial killers, Dr. HH Holmes. Holmes was a charmer who used the Fair and a so-called “murder castle” to draw in his prey. Once in his home, he would use a number of terrifying contraptions to murder people, only to turn around and sell their skeletons for medical and scientific study. He’s believed to be responsible for at least twenty-seven murders, and as many as two hundred. Larson’s book also makes use of time period’s backdrop – the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago. The book revolves around two men – Holmes and Daniel Burnham (the “chief architect” of the fair).

Directed by Darren Aronofsky (‘Requiem for a Dream’ (2000)), ‘Black Swan’ is an ambitious psychological horror film promising to submerge the viewer into the world of classical ballet, game of sexual seduction and pure psychological delirium, but has it delivered?

With the nominations for the Academy Awards 2012 coming up in January 2012, it is a convenient time to review and comment on the Academy Awards 2011. Here, the focus will be on two categories: “Best Picture” and “Best Actress in a Leading Role”.

David Cronenberg’s ‘A Dangerous Method’ (2011) is coming to the UK’s cinemas in February 2012, giving a good pretext to review one of the director’s most violent, action-driven and thought-provoking films – ‘A History of Violence’. Cronenberg excels himself in this film, blending a complex personality study and raw violence to a very satisfying result.

‘Melancholia’ will either be loved or hated. There is no “in-between”. The film is certain to awaken something in the viewer, be it some inexplicable feelings of unease or awe. However, given that this film is directed by no other than Lars Von Trier (a Danish director known for its controversial films, e.g. ‘Antichrist’ (2009)) and who once said that “a film should be like a rock in the shoe”, nothing less is expected.